The buzz: Maryland is one of the biggest surprises in college football, starting 4-0 for the first time since 2001. The offense has improved by more than 200 yards per game, with quarterback C.J. Brown leading the ACC in total offense (331.5 ypg). Florida State's Jameis Winston is one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country.

Georgia Tech at No. 14 Miami

2:30 p.m. Saturday, ESPNU

The buzz: Miami hasn't started a season with four straight wins since 2004, when it opened with six consecutive victories. Much of the early success can be attributed to an improvement on defense. The Hurricanes are ranked 10th in total defense and have 16 sacks, which is four more sacks than the team had all of last season.

No. 22 Arizona State vs. Notre Dame

6:30 p.m. Saturday, WMAQ-Ch. 5 in Arlington, Texas

The buzz: Arizona State, which has already beaten Wisconsin and USC, is looking for another big victory. The Sun Devils' hot start is powered by its offense. Quarterback Taylor Kelly is third in the nation in total offense (342.5) while passing for more than 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Irish have turned the ball over six times while only forcing four.

No. 4 Ohio State at No. 16 Northwestern

7 p.m. Saturday, WLS-Ch. 7

The buzz: Ohio State is riding the nation's longest winning streak at 17 games, but Northwestern also has a mini-streak of its own. The Wildcats have won seven games in a row, which is good enough for the fourth-longest streak in the nation. Braxton Miller was nearly perfect during his team's win over Wisconsin last week, but the Ohio State quarterback will face a bigger challenge against a defense that has picked off opposing quarterbacks 10 times this season. NU linebacker Collin Ellis has two interceptions returned for touchdowns this season.

No. 15 Washington at No. 5 Stanford

9:30 p.m. Saturday, ESPN

The buzz: This winner gets a leg up in the Pac-12 North Division race. Washington running back Bishop Sankey leads the nation in rushing yards per game (151.8). He'll face a Stanford defense that is ranked third in the Pac-12 in rushing defense (105 yards per game) and hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher this season.